Basic Arson Scene Investigation

The scope of this course is to provide first responding personnel with the fundamental understanding of the principles, processes and procedures involved in fire scene examination.

The purpose of this course is to provide first responding officers with the tools to understand the key role they play in fire scene examination and in preserving and protecting important evidence for any subsequent investigation. The content of the course will provide a clear definition of the role of the first responding officer in arson detection and provide essential knowledge to enable him or her to recognize the potential of intentionally set fires, preservation and protection of evidence, and proper reporting of information to appropriate officials. By strengthening the partnership between first responding personnel and investigators, the chances for successfully solving arson-related crimes will increase. The course includes topics such as fire behavior, critical observations of the first responder, fire causes, scene security and evidence preservation, legal considerations, and documentation of findings.

The Target audience for this course is any law enforcement officer, regardless of the experience level, who are looking to gain knowledge in the fire investigation field. This course is an introductory class to this topic.